RISE Vusion Extreme FPV Racing Quad Race Pack


Written by Matt Ruddick Injection-molded plastic RTF quad makes repairs a snap Product review As seen in the June 2017 issue of Model Aviation.


Bonus video


Specifications

Type: Prebuilt quadcopter Skill level: Beginner and beyond Frame diameter: 9.8 inches Minimum flying area: Large park Needed to complete: Nothing Power system: Four 2,280 Kv brushless outrunner motors; four ESCs embedded in the arms Flight duration: 4 to 5 minutes Flying weight: 17.7 ounces Price: $349.99

Pluses

• Everything you need to fly FPV in one box. • Three flight modes for varying experience levels. • Internal 720-pixel DVR. • Replacement arms offer quick and easy field repair. • A high-quality transmitter is included.

Minuses

• Injection-molded plastic frame is less durable than carbon fiber. • No ability to fine-tune flight characteristics on the flight controller. • The included goggles might not be a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many RTF FPV products out there, but few truly offer everything you need to fly FPV, all in one box. The RISE Vusion Extreme FPV Racing Quad Race Pack does just that by not only including a transmitter, but FPV goggles as well.
Everything you need to fly FPV is inside the box.

At the heart of this package is the Vusion 250 quadcopter. Running on 2,280 Kv motors, this quad has plenty of power to keep up with the competition.
Running on 2,280 Kv motors, this quad has plenty of power to keep up with the competition.

The first thing that you notice about this aircraft’s design is that it’s made almost entirely of injection-molded plastic. My initial concern was that this was done simply for cost savings, but it became apparent why this choice was made. Each arm can be completely removed (along with the motor and ESC contained within it) and replaced, simply by removing a couple of screws. This modular design allows for lightning-fast repairs at the field.
A 5/64 ball driver is all that is required to remove the quadcopter’s arms. Replacement arms with motors and ESCs can be purchased for $29.99 each.

The Vusion comes with a preinstalled eight-channel 200 mW 5.8 GHz video transmitter and a circular polarized antenna that is connected to the top of the aircraft. The built-in 600TVL camera sends out a 640 x 480 image through the transmitter; however, it is capable of recording 720-pixel video internally with a built-in DVR. You will need a micro SD card to use this function. It was my experience that the camera wasn’t as clear as some other third-party cameras on the market, but it is perfectly adequate to fly with. It uses a sleek flip-up design reminiscent of a sports car headlight, and can fold down when not in use to protect the lens.
The included FPV camera uses a flip-up design that protects the lens during transport and storage.

The biggest surprise of this pack is the included six-channel radio. This is one of the nicest radios that I’ve come across with an RTF aircraft. The quality is as good as any radio that I’ve used and is incredibly comfortable in my hands. The finish is similar to a hard rubber material that gives you a nice grip when flying. I found it so nice that I would bind it to my other aircraft if it were possible! It features two switches for flight modes and dual rates, as well as two buttons to activate the video and photo functions. One thing I miss from this radio is a dedicated arming and disarming switch. For pilots who already have a radio that they prefer to use, the Vusion allows them to connect an external receiver with their preferred protocol. Those pilots will need to use a cable harness, which is not included. Usually, when buying an FPV quadcopter such as this, you will need to provide your own FPV goggles. That is not so with the Vusion kit. Included in the box is a 4.3-inch Tactic FPV-RM2 40-channel FPV monitor and Tactic FPV-G1 goggles. This combination is a great alternative to many FPV goggles out there for those who wear glasses because this headset can fit comfortably around your frames. It should be noted that the strap doesn’t offer much in the way of size adjustment. I have a larger head than most and found the headset a bit tight on me. With that stated, a few friends were happy to try it on and they found it more comfortable. If you are like me and can’t comfortably wear the headset, you do have an alternative that will keep you in the air. The pack comes with a device holder that attaches to your radio and will hold the included LCD screen as you fly.
Flying in Mode 1 offers the most stability and control for new pilots.

Speaking of flying, you might be wondering how well this quadcopter flies. I can tell you that it flies great! There are three flight modes, each with decreasing amounts of stability and increasing amounts of agility. I enjoyed flying the Vusion around in Mode 1 because it had really nice control and speed. Mode 2 still has some autoleveling active, but allows for some higher roll and tilt rates. Mode 3 is full-rate mode and is only for experienced pilots. This mode allows for complete control with no active autoleveling features. Even with some experience in flying in rate mode on other quadcopters, I found Mode 3 on the Vusion challenging. I would have liked to have been able to manually adjust the rates within the flight controller to match my preferences, but this is an advanced feature that doesn’t appear to be possible. One clever included feature is a failsafe and beacon that is set up automatically. When the signal is lost between the quad and the transmitter, the Vusion will automatically descend and land. It will also start beeping to assist a pilot in finding it. This quad is powered by a 3S 1,500 mAh 25C LiPo battery that is included in the package. It should be noted that because of this quad’s design, you’ll likely have trouble finding third-party batteries that fit inside of this form factor.
The Rise battery is a snug fit. Be certain you measure well before purchasing replacements!

If you’re someone who has never flown an FPV quadcopter, but you want to give it a try and want to get everything in one box, the Vusion Extreme FPV Race Pack definitely meets those wants. I’m not sure that experienced FPV pilots will pick this one up, but I think it’s a worthy racer for any beginner. At its $349.99 price tag, you sure do get a lot for your money. —Matt Ruddick mattr@modelaircraft.org

Manufacturer/Distributor:

Hobbico (800) 637-7660 www.explore-rise.com www.towerhobbies.com


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